Shoulder bow



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

.ATTDRNEY C. A. DIEHR SHOULDER BOW Filed June 11, 1946 llHmgia A. DIEH F. I z 9 3 M M A W w a x a C. A. DIEHR SHOULDER BOW Filed Jun 11, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EHARLE5 A. DIET-IR.

ATTURNEY.

C. A. DlEHR SHOULDER BOW Aug. 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 11, 1946 INVENTOR. EHARLEE. A. IJIEHR.

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ATTURNEK Paten'ted Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to a shoulder bow for arrow shooting, and has for an object to provide a shoulder bow wherein relatively great propelling power may be applied to the arrow, which may be set preparatory to shooting with relative ease in comparison with the propelling power developed, and which may be sighted and fired with great precision by holding the stock against the shoulder in similar manner to the firing of a rifle.

A further object is to provide a shoulder bow having slide means for drawing the bow string, and which is adapted to be operated with the stock against the shoulder and through the use of both hands, to the end that relatively great force may be applied to the bending of the bow with a minimum of effort or strain upon the user. It is particularly proposed to provide a slide member having two handle parts arranged one behind the other for respective engagements by the two hands of the user.

It is further proposed to provide a shoulder bow in which the drawn bow may be gradually released when desired, without actuating the trigger mechanism normally employed in shooting an arrow.

Another object is to provide a bow wherein the slide means for drawing the bow carries with it retaining finger means for engaging the bow string and trigger means to release the retaining finger means.

Another object is to provide a shoulder bow in which the bow is yieldably supported at'its central portion so as to relieveit of shock upon release of the bow string.

Another object is to provide yieldable pressure means arranged to engage the nook of the arrow shaft rearwardly of the bow spring to cause the arrow to be pressed downwardly at its forward end about the bow string as a fulcrum.

With the above and other objects in View, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the shoulder bow,

according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, and showing the bow in its drawn position-with an arrow in place. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the bow in its released position, and with the bow-drawing slide member in its forwardly moved position preparatory to drawing the bow.

Fig. 3 is a plan View, partially broken away, and showing the bow in its drawn position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the dot-and-dash lines showing the released position of the bow.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View, partially broken away, and on a larger scale, taken along the lines l4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view partially in horizontal section, and on a further enlarged scale, of the forward or head end of the shoulder bow.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a transverse vertical sectional View, taken along the line 'l'i of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of the stock end of the shoulder bow, the bow-drawing slide member being removed.

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the line Hil0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical sectional View, taken along the line llll of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of the stock end of the bow gun, and showing the bow-drawing slide in place.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional plan view, taken along the line l3l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical sectional View, taken along the line I l-l4 of Fig. 12.

Fig.15 is a transverse vertical sectional View,

taken along the line l5l5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail view, on a still further enlarged scale, showing the bow string retaining finger member of the bow-drawing slide member in its retaining relation with the drawn bow string.

Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the released I position of the retaining finger member.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts through the several figures of th drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the shoulder bow, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises a frame consisting of a stock frame member If], preferably formed of aluminum or other suitable light metal, and having suitable cut-outs I l therein for reduction of weight, there being rectangular recesses l2--l2 at the forward end of the stock frame in its respective sides in which the rearward ends of a pair of bars l3-|3 are secured by screws I4, the outer surfaces of these bars being flush with the outer surface of the stock frame, and the inner surfaces being spaced apart in parallel relation to provide a longitudinal slot for the bowdrawing slide member, as will presently more fully appear. The stock frame is provided with a forwardly extending upwardly inclined portion 15 disposed in spaced relation above the rearward ends of the bars l3-i3 to form a pocket it into which the bow-drawing slide member moves in its restracted position as shown in Fig. 4. At its rearward end the extension portion l5 is provided with a slot I 1, in which is disposed the knurled thumb piece 18 of a retaining lever [B for the slide member, pivotally mounted between the bars i3i3 upon a pivot pin 20, and movably disposed within a pocket formation 2| in the forward end of the stock frame, theystocl; frame being further provided at its forward end with an upwardly projecting stop seat 22, upon which the lever 15 is normally pressed in its retaining position by means of a leaf'spring 23 secured to the under side of the extension portion !5 by means of stressed The lever I9 is'prov'ided at its forward end with a downwaidly'projectiiig catch 25 for retaining engagement with the bow-drawing slide member, as will presently more fully appear. The knurled surface of the thumb piece it is concurved and projects through the slot H, so that it may be rolled back by engagement with the thumb to lift the retaining lever IQ, for the purpose of releasing the bow-drawing slide memher so that it can be iiioved forwardly. A rear sight assembly 26, or any suitable type, is secured by screws 2? upon the extens on portion l5 forwardly of the slot 51, this sight being preferably of precision time capable of vertical and lateral v,

and angular adjustments, I

At their forward ends the bars l3i3 are sedared to 'a head inefnber 28, referably formed of diumiiiom or other suitable light metal, having a centralreaiwardly rojecting tongue portion 29 engaged Between the forward ends of the bars l3 thereof for -rec'eivih'gthe orward recessed ends 3! of the wood side pieces 3Z32, the bars and the forwar recessed ends ofth'e side pieces being secured to the head rherhberbyineans or screws 33 inserted. from each side or the head member through holes in the "side oieojes' and in the bars and screwed into threaded holes 3'4provid'e'd in the toh'giie 9. The wood side pieces which are of walnut or other siiitable material siiohras'emplo yed in gun stock's, Xten'd rearwardly along the bars l3l3 and are Shaped at their rearward ends to conform to the outline of the stock frame it, being secured thereto by the screws Hiyvhich secure the rearward'ends of 'the bars, as wel1 as by streets 35 engaged in the intermediate phi"- tions of the stock frame, and screws 36 engaged in the fhrw'ardl'y projecting eite'ns'ioh portion 15.

A Woodtop piece 3'5 for the steel; is secured to a the 'sto k by I38, and a reeoiijsriouipad 39', 6f ffibhi '01 the like, is pref rably secured'to the rearward end of the stock. The

eid'e'ipi'ce's along the bars I 3l 3 moi ect above 'the dis erser-races or the bars at each side and are ecessed outwardly 'of the bars, as at Eli- ED, In Tel io'n With the ilpbei' surfaces 'Of -the bars to c a l ohg itu dihal channel-way fol the. arrow; he recesses terminating in rear "walls in ii'tiony line with the forward end 'oi 'uie ioh floitiiih l5 of the S tOCk frame. The upper "sdr'rao'e or "the head ifieffl'b er is aISbIecessed, as at '42, ii'i'conformi'ty with and in for- "a'tion of the channel ,b'r'ovided e s I 1 e member 28 is provided with a pair or eyiiridrieal longitudinallydisposed pockets '4 3:43,

extending rearwardly from its fiat forward surface and disposed outwardly of the recess 42, and in each of which is engaged a cylindrical plunger M, having a forwardly projecting plunger rod 45, projecting through a passage 46 in a flat cover plate 41, secured to the forward fiat surface of the head member by means of screws 48-48, a compression spring 49 beingr provided within the pocket between the plunger and the cover plate to normally retain the plunger in retracted position.

Theforward ends of the plunger rods 45 are screw threaded and have secured to each of them a ring member-5B having an internally threaded socket post}?! rigidly secured thereto, and which socket pest is screwed upon the threaded end of the plunger rod. A yoke piece 52 provided with cylindrical passages 53-=-53 therein is interposed between the coverplate 41 and the rings 50, the posts 5| being slidabIy engaged in the passages 53. The forward surface of the yoke piece is. provided with a semi-cylindrical recess 54 in which the rings seat and is provided at. its upper surface with a recess 55, conforming to and in forward continuation of the recess 42 of the head member 23. A cylindrical tube 56 is secured within the rings 5!; b set screws 51- 5| and is adapted to rotatably receive the recessed'interlocking cylindrical end pieces 58-58 of the two staves' 59-59 form ng the bow; 7 Before assembly of the tube 56. the oke. piece 52 and the two ring -member's may be assembled to the runger rods by screwing the. ring members thereon, the forward yielding of the plunger rods permitting the ring members to be screwed inwardly to point where they seat in the'yoke member under spring. action, and where the desiredtehsion is applied to the springs. Upon assembry or the tube 5tthe two rin members form a unit therewith which is yieldable forwardly with respect to, the head member 2'8, for the purposeoi yieldin to the forward shock or impact or the central portion of the bow. when the latter is released in the shooting of an arrow, thus preventing excessv strain upon the central portion 6f the bow a'iidbreakage of the staves, and'siich as might occur if. the bow were held rigidly to the neadmember; This forward yieldmg or the central portion of the. bow "is similar to the forward yielding. that takes place at the center or a hand nerd how, the hand yielding forwardly naturally upon release or the drawn bow to relieve the shock,

Within the recess42 ofithe, head member there is mounted upona base piate so a forked guide 6i, for supporting and uiding the forward end or the arrow *sh'art this guide beingfpivotally mounted, by means "oiia setescrew 62', so that it may be 'ang'diarly' adjusted with respect to calibrations 63 provided upon the base plate 6%; A front sight "member '66 is adjustably mounted above the guide Bi. for inwardrand;outward iat eral adjustment in a block "iii'emberfifi' secured upon the head member at one side of the recess is, and is adapte'dto be fixed its position of a, wider 'ti aiitii jporrion between the bars to-pro vid'e longitudinal shouldersftt at eachsfde'for sliding engagement with filppei sidesorthe 7 bars, and being provided below the bars with longitudinal ribs 69-69 forsliding engagement with the lower sides of the bars. The frame is provided at its lower portion with two longitudinally spaced downwardly projecting hand grip portions 78 and "fl, and in back of the rearward hand grip portion ii is provided with a trigger supporting extension 12 and a trigger guard 13, the trigger extension 72 being provided at its rearward end with an upwardly projecting nose Hi adapted to be lookingly engaged by the catch of the retaining lever IS in the retracted position of the slide. The two hand grip portions lo and H are covered at each side with side pieces m4 of wood or other suitable material secured by screws I05.

At the forward end of the upper portion of the slide and disposed above the upper sides of the bars 13 there is provided a bearing portion 61* upon which there is pivotall supported by means of a cross pin 75 the bow string engaging finger member 76. This member is of yoke form, its side legs beingengaged at the sides of the bearing portion and having upwardly extending finger portions normally disposed in vertical position at each side of the bearing portion within the channel way recesses 40. At its rearward end there is provided a connecting portion Tl adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the slide member in the normal retaining position I of the finger member, as seen in Figs. 12 and 16. Rearwardly of the finger member the slide member is provided with an upwardly projecting bearing portion 18 having a longitudinal passage l therethrough, in which is slidably engaged a latch member 65 adapted in its projected position to engage over the portion ll of the finger member, and adapted upon being retracted, as will presently more fully appear, to release the finger member so that it may swing forwardly about its pivot, as shown in Fig. 1'7.

The rearward projecting end of the latch member 83 is connected by a pivot and slot connection 8| to a lever 82, pivotally mounted at 33 in a slot 85 at the upper side of the slide memben'its lower end projecting into an opening 85 provided in the slide member, and being pivotally connected by a pin and slot connection 86 to a draw bar 81. The draw bar extends through a passage 88 in the slide member and is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the upper end of the trigger 89', the trigger being pivotally mounted upon a pin 96 in a slot 9! of the rearwardly projecting portion 72 of the slide member. A spring 92 is connected between the lever 82 and the rearward end of the slide member and normally exerts projecting force upon the latch member 80.

Within the opening of the yoke shaped finger member 75 the slide member is provided with a vertical passage 93, in which is engaged a plunger rod 94 provided at its upper end with a head 95, its lower end extending downwardly in an opening 96 in the slide member and having engaged thereon within the opening a helical compression spring 91, disposed between the lower end of the opening and a pin 98 upon the rod, and which normally projects the rod upwardly. The head is provided with a dowel pin 99, slidably engaged in a passage lfili in the upper side of the slide member to prevent relative turning movement of the head and plunger rod. The head is adapted to be engaged by the rearward end or nook fill of the arrow shaft I92 at a point rearward y of the bow stri g lit ga ed in the notch of the nook, the bow string being engaged at each side of the nook by the upwardly projecting laterally spaced fingers of the finger member 16. Thus upward pressure is exerted upon the nook of the arrow. shaftv rearwardly of the bow string, the latter constituting. a fixed fulcrum about which turning force is applied to the arrow shaft by upward pressure upon its rearward end, causing its forward end to be forced downwardly into engagement with the forked guide member 6 l. The arrow is thus held against accidentally rising upwardly at its forward end or assuming an out-of-line position after the how has been drawn. It will be understood that the spring of the plunger is relatively light, and, while its exerts sufficient force upon the arrow to retain it in position, its force is insufficient to force the drawn bow String upwardly upon the retaining fingers.

In operation, the bow-drawing slide member is released from the retaining lever 19 and moved forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the bow string is engaged behind the fingers of the finger member '56, the notch of the arrow being engaged by the string between the fingers and the nook of the arrow being pressed downwardly to depress the head 95 of the plunger rod 34. Thereupon, with the stock of the shoulder bow preferably engaged with the shoulder, the slide member is gripped by both hands, one hand engaging the forward hand grip l6 and the other of the rearward hand grip H and the slide momber is drawn to its rearward position to draw the bow, the retaining lever 19 automatically snapping into retaining engagement with the nose "it. In this position the drawn bow string is relatively fixed in its relation with the finger member '55, and constitutes a fixed fulcrum about which the arrow is tilted through upward pressure upon the nook exerted by the plunger 84 to press its forward end downwardly into firm engagement with the forked guide 6!, Thus moving about of the shoulder bow will not cause the arrow' to accidentally swing out of its operative relation with the guide 61 V In order to shoot the arrow the shoulder bow is held at the shoulder in similar manner to the holding of a rifle and is sighted by aligning the rear and front sights in the usual manner. Upon pulling the trigger the latch member is withdrawn from retaining engagement with the finger member '16, allowing the latter to swing forwardly, as shown in Fig. 17, and releasing the bow string, the latter being guided along the upper surfaces of the side pieces 32 at each side of the longitudinal recesses 40. As the drawn bow is released and moves to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2 the forward shock or impact of the central portion of the bow is taken up through the forward yielding of the tube 56 permitted by the spring mounted plunger rods, thus preventing excess strain upon the central portion of the bow and possible breakage of the staves.

Should the user decide after drawing the bow that he does not desire to shoot the arrow, the slide member may be released by lifting the retaining lever l9 while holding the slide member by one or the other hand grip portions, and thereupon allowing the slide member to gradually move in its forward position without the necessity for actuating the trigger to release the bow string.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

. What is claimed is:

1 1 In a shoulder bow including a stock, and a forestock supporting at its forward end a bow extending at each side and having a bow string disposed transversely across said forestock in a normally straight horizontal position, the combination comprising a longitudinal slideway carried by said forestock having a pair of longitudinal guide surfacesiorguided engagement by said bow string, one guide surface being at each side of said slideway to define a vlongitudinal arrow receiving space between them, a bow-drawing slide member engaged in said slideway for longitudinal movement between forward and retracted positions, retaining means ,movably .mounted in relation to said slideway for releasably retaining said slide member in its retracted position, a bow string engaging finger member movably carried by said slide member having a forked part movablebetween an operative position to engage and retain the forward edge of said bow string at each side of the nock off an arrow engaged therewith, and movable to an inoperative position out of the path of guided movement of said bow string along said guide surfaces, and a releasable catch member movably carried by said slide member and engageable with said finger member to releasably retain it inoperative position, and whereby said bow string and arrow. may be drawn through movefulcrum.

3. The'invention as defined in claim 1, further characterized by arrow supporting guide means carried by said forestock forwardly of said bow string, and spring loaded pressure means movably carried by said slide member rearwardly of said forked part of said finger member to engage and exert upward pressure upon the nook of the arrow to tilt it about said bow string as a fulcrum into engagement with said guide means.

4. In a shoulder bow, a frame having a head member at its forward end, a spring-loaded bow supporting member movably connected to said headmember for limited movement between forward and rearward positions, its spring load movably retaining said bow supporting member in its rearward position and permitting its forward yielding movement, and a bow carried by said bow supporting member having a bow string adapted to extend transversely across the upper side of said frame.

5. In a shoulder bow, a frame having a head member at its forward end, a bow supporting member having spring loaded plunger means engaged in said head member for forward yielding movement, and a bow carried by said bow supporting member having a bow string adapted to extend transversely across the upper side of said frame.

CHARLES A. DIEHR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 213,97 6 Coloney Apr. 8, 1879 214,791 Randall Apr. 29, 1879 359,153 Alley Aug. 30, 1887 437,605 Kelley Sept. 30, 1390 785,050 Saunders Mar. 14,. 1905 1,985,979 Conklin Dec. 18, 1934 2,092,361 Shirn Sept. 7, 1937 2,278,535 Dobson Apr. 7 1942 2,375,607 Wulfert May 8, 1945 

